York Development Continues Decline

Economy May Be Responsible For Downturn

January 23, 1991|By PATRICK LEE PLAISANCE Staff Writer

YORK — Mirroring the nation's economic downturn, development in the county has continued its gradual decline, an annual development report shows. Builders are continuing a trend of holding back on construction activity, according to the Development Summary for 1990, which was released Tuesday.

That downward trend is prominent in key indicators of development - the number of building proposals submitted and the certificates of occupancy issued to new homes.

According the report, 47 development proposals were approved in 1990, compared with 56 in 1989, said Mark Carter, director of the county's Department of Community Development. Similarly, the county issued 489 certificates of occupancy in 1990, compared with 506 the previous year.

``You'd have to say it was the economy'' that may be responsible for the trend, Carter said, although other factors also may contribute. Those factors, he said, could include wetland restrictions and the involvement of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in some residential projects.

Carter said he could not predict if the downward trend would continue this year, noting a slight increase in the number of building proposals coming in over the last few weeks as builders prepare for the spring construction season.

The report shows the heaviest contruction activity is centered along the Route 17 corridor and the Tabb area.

Carter said he did not know how much more development the Route 17 corridor could handle without creating serious traffic problems, but he said that question should be answered later this year, when the county completes the update of its comprehensive plan.